Clamping means for deharing apparatus or the like



1963 F. s. CONNICK ETAL 3,112,531

CLAMPING MEANS FOR DEHAIRING APPARATUS OR THE LIKE Filed March 16, 1960 12 "wi I' JOHN A-BRENDI E ELDON J.5TRANDWE ERNEST BoNAMl INVHVTORfl IF/M29.

47'' TO RNEY FRAMqs G. CONNICK United States Patent Ofifice 3,112,531 CLAMPING MEANS FOR DEHAIRING APPARATUS OR TEE LiKE Francis G. Conniclk, Downers Grove, John A. Brendie,

La Grange, Eldon .l. Sta-aniline, Chicago, and Ernest Bonami, La Grange, IlL, assignors to Swift 8: Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of lllinois Filed Mar. 16, 196i}, Ser. No. 15,397 Claims. (Cl. 192) This invention relates to a device for securing in place hides, skins and pelts. More specifically, the invention relates to a substantially automatic apparatus especially adapted to grasp, hold and release relatively slippery pelts, skins and hides during processing.

While other adptations of our invention will become apparent, it has been found to be especially useful as applied to dehairing apparatus. For example, where wool is pulled from a sheepskin, it has been difficult to keep the sheepskin in place while the pulling force is exerted on the wool. One type of dehairing apparatus, such as that illustrated in Patent No. 2,841,829 to Strandine et al., holds pelts on a moving conveyor belt during the unhairing operation by passing the shank portions of the pelt through openings in the belt and engaging the shanks between the inside surface of the belt and conveyor pulley. However, the force which is necessary to remove the wool frequently also pulls the pelt from the shank openings and detaches it from the conveyor belt.

Additionally, in many unhairing operations a depilatory solution is placed on the pelts. The depilatory solution loosens the hair or wool which is to be removed; thus the force which is necessary to remove the hair or wool from the pelt is decreased. However, pelts treated with the depilatory solution become slippery and are consequently more easily detached from the conveyor.

Therefore, a primary object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for securing hides, skins, and pelts to a conveying means.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved apparatus which will firmly hold a pelt in place while the pelt is being unhaired.

A further object is to provide an improved apparatus which will substantially automatically grasp, hold and release a pelt While the pelt is being unhaired.

Additional objects and advantages of tins invention, if not specifically set forth, will become apparent to one skilled in the art during the course of the following description.

The present invention relates broadly to a relatively flat clamping device comprising first and second clasp members, one of which is biased toward penetrating engagement with the other. The clamp is preferably mounted on a conveying means and is comprised of a spring-loaded plate having a plurality of needles which are urged to engage and penetrate a pelt to hold it on the conveying means.

When adapted for use in a dehairing apparatus, an actuating means, devised to open and close the clamp at various points along the path of the conveying means to allow a pelt to be either engaged or released, is also ineluded.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the clamp of the present invention secured to a conveyor belt;

FIG. 2 is a partial side view showing the operation of the clamp as it is carried by the conveyor belt;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section taken at 33 of FIG. 2; and

3,112,531 Patented Dec. 3, 1963 FIG. 4 is a schematic side elevation of the invention as applied to an unhairing apparatus.

In the drawings in which like characters refer to like parts throughout, the illustrated apparatus comprises a clamp generally 10, displaying a relatively thin, flat protfile, mounted within a rectangular opening 11 disposed substantially transversely in a conveyor belt 12. The opening 11 may be located between a pair of shank openings 13, 14 located near the edges of the belt 12. Clamp 10 includes a pair of separate elongated metal clips 16, 17 secured to the belt 12 along the long sides of opening 11, and a movable clasp member generally 18 pivotally secured to one of the clips. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the movable clasp member 18 is pivotally secured to clip 16 and is engageable with recesses 19 in the clip 17. The recesses 19 form a stationary clasp member cooperable with movable clasp 18 to grip a pelt onto conveyor 12. Clips 16, 17 are secured to both surfaces of the conveyor belt 12 by a plurality of rivets 20 or other suitable fastening means.

The movable clasp generally 18 is fixed to a shaft 22 which is pivotal-ly held by clip :16 within opening 1 1 of belt 12. The clasp member 1 8 includes a plate 23 fastened to shaft 22 and biased to pivot toward clip 17 by a plurality of coiled springs 24 mounted concentrically on shaft 22. Plate 23 also supports a plurality of curved needles 25 which will engage and penetrate the pelts or skins 'and extend into the recesses 19 in clip 17 to thereby hold such pelts or skins on the conveyor. Preferably needles 25 are adjustably held in grooves (not shown) in plate 23 by nuts 26.

A cam follower 28 is attached to one extremity of shaft 22 so that as it is raised shaft 22 will be rotated to pivot plate 23 upwardly, thus removing needles 25 from their respective recesses 19. A cam track generally 29 is utilized to raise the cam follower; however, springs 24 urge plate 123 and needles 25 in the opposite direction in the absence of a track. FIG. 4 shows the placement of two earn track sections 30, 31, each of which is used to rotate the cam follower 28 and thus to pivot plate 23, removing the needles 25 from their respective recesses.

In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus, which is best seen in FIG. 2, clamp 10 is securely mounted, lateralon a conveyor belt as described above. The clamp normally is in the closed position, with cam follower 28 suspended below the conveyor belt as indicated at position A. At a point along the conveyor path at which it is desired to open the clamp so as to secure a pelt or skin therein, an inclined cam track section 30 is located below the conveyor and in line with the path of cam follower 28. As the conveyor 12 moves clamp 10 in the direction indicated by arrow 32, the cam follower moves up the cam track toward the conveyor belt and the movable clasp member 18 is pivoted upwardly away from clip 17 as indicated at position B. Where rnovable clasp 18 is pivoted suificiently to allow placement of the pelt or skin between it and clip 17, the cam track 30 extends parallel to conveyor belt 12 for a short distance in the direction of movement. Subsequently cam track section 30 drops away from the conveyor whence cam follower 28 will move down, allowing springs :24 to pivot the movable clasp member 18 so that needles 25 penetrate the pelt or skin and securely fasten it to the conveyor belt. A similar cam track section 31 is located inwardly of the lower run of the conveyor (as shown in FIG. 4) to release the pelt from the clamp 10.

While the pelt or skin is securely fastened, the clamp 10 draws it between a series of holding and hair loosening rolls, such as rolls 36 and 37 respectively, and hair pulling rolls 40 and 42, which remove the hair or wool therefrom. Backing rolls 38, 39, which are located below the conveyor belt, are relieved to permit the cam follower 28 to pass therethrough without interference. FIG. 3 shows rolls 36 and 38 in elevation, illustrating a groove 47 in roll 38 to allow passage of the cam follower. Similarly, all other members beneath the belt 12, including conveyor pulleys 44, 46, are relieved to permit follower 28 to pass freely. Additionally, as may be seen in the figures, the relatively thin, fiat structure of clamp it) permits it to pass, with the conveyor 12, and skin, between the various rolls.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A clamp device suitable for attachment to a conveyer for securing a pelt or the like thereto, said device comprising: a first clip member adapted to be secured to a conveyor; a second clip member adapted to be separately secured to said conveyor spaced from said first clip member, said second clip member having a plurality of recesses therein; a plate pivotally mounted to said first clip member so as to be generally parallel to said second clip member when said clip members are secured to said conveyor; pelt penetrating means mounted on said plate, said penetrating means extending from said plate a distance suflicient to extend within said recesses when said clip members are secured to said conveyor; means normally biasing said plate to pivot toward said second clip when so mounted whereby to grip a pelt between said penetrating means and said second clip; and means connected to said plate to enable the latter to be pivoted away from said second clip whereby to release the pelt.

2. A clamp device suitable for attachment to a conveyor for securing a pelt or the like thereto, said device comprising: a first clip member adapted to be secured to a conveyor; a second clip member adapted to be separately secured to said conveyor spaced from said first clip member, said second clip member having a plurality of recesses therein; a shaft rotatably supported by said first clip member; a plate secured to said shaft so as to be generally parallel to said second clip member when said clip members are secured to said conveyor; a plurality of needles mounted on said plate, said needles extending from said plate a distance sufficient to extend within said recesses when said clip members are secured to said conveyor; a spring normally biasing said plate to pivot to ward said second clip when so mounted whereby to grip a pelt between said needles and said second clip; and a cam follower connected to said shaft to enable the plate to be pivoted away from said second clip whereby to release the pelt.

3. Apparatus for gripping and moving pelts or the like, said apparatus comprising: a conveyor; a first clip member secured to said conveyor; a second clip member separately secured to said conveyor opposite said first clip member, said second clip member having a plurality of recesses therein; a movable clasp pivotally secured to said first clip member generally parallel to said second clip member, said clasp including a plurality of needles extending to within said recesses when said clasp is pivoted toward said second clip; means normally urging said clasp to move said needles into said recesses whereby to secure a pelt to said conveyor; and actuating means associated with said conveyor for pivoting said movable clasp member away from said recess.

4. Apparatus for gripping and moving pelts or the like, said apparatus comprising: a conveyor having an opening cut therein; a first clip member secured to said conveyor along a leading edge of the opening therein; a second clip member separately secured to said conveyor along an edge of the opening opposite said first clip member, said second clip member having a plurality of recesses therein; a shaft rotatably supported by said first clip member; a plate secured to said shaft generally parallel to said second clip member; a plurality of needles mounted on said plate, said needles extending from said plate a distance sufficient to extend within said recess when said plate is pivoted toward said second clip; a spring coiled about said shaft and connected between said plate and said first clip normally urging said plate to move said needles into said recesses whereby to secure a pelt to said conveyor; a cam follower connected to said shaft for urging said plate against said spring; and actuating means positioned adjacent the conveyor to operate said cam follower.

5. An improved dehairing apparatus, said apparatus comprising: an endless conveyor belt; unhairing means located at a point above said conveyor whereby to pull hair from pelts conveyed thereon; a first clip member secured to said conveyor belt generally transverse to the direction of motion; a second clip member separately secured to said conveyor belt opposite said first clip member, said second clip member having a plurality of recesses therein; a movable clasp pivotally secured to said first clip member generally parallel to said second clip member, said clasp including a plurality of needles extending to within said recesses when said clasp is pivoted toward said second clip, whereby said first and second clip members and said clasp display a relatively thin, flat profile to pass beneath said unhairing means with said belt; means normally urging said clasp to move said needles into said recesses whereby to secure a pelt to said conveyor; and actuating means associated with said conveyor for pivoting said movable clasp member away from said recess, said actuating means being located before said unhairing means whereby the pelt may be inserted between said needles and said second clip and also located beyond said unhairing means whereby the pelt may be removed from therebetween.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

3. APPARATUS FOR GRIPPING AND MOVING PELTS OR THE LIKE, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING: A CONVEYOR; A FIRST CLIP MEMBER SECURED TO SAID CONVEYOR; A SECOND CLIP MEMBER SEPARATELY SECURED TO SAID CONVEYOR OPPOSITE SAID FIRST CLIP MEMBER, SAID SECOND CLIP MEMBER HAVING A PLURALITY OF RECESSES THEREIN; A MOVABLE CLASP PIVOTALLY SECURED TO SAID FIRST CLIP MEMBER GENERALLY PARALLEL TO SAID SECOND CLIP MEMBER, SAID CLASP INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF NEEDLES EXTENDING TO WITHIN SAID RECESSES WHEN SAID CLASP IS PIVOTED TOWARD SAID SECOND CLIP; MEANS NORMALLY URGING SAID CLASP TO MOVE SAID NEEDLES INTO SAID RECESSES WHEREBY TO SECURE A PELT TO SAID CONVEYOR; AND ACTUATING MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID CONVEYOR FOR PIVOTING SAID MOVABLE CLASP MEMBER AWAY FROM SAID RECESS. 